NoWDOC opening hours for the Christmas period

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The HSE has issued the following release regarding the out of hours GP service over Christmas –
 
Where possible, patients should contact their own GP who will be running surgeries over the Christmas period. Please see the NoWDOC service opening hours as set out below.


NoWDOC Service Opening Hours Over Christmas/New Year Period 2013/14
The NoWDOC services over the holiday season will operate as usual, for both weekends and the three bank holidays on Wednesday 25 December, Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 01 January 2014. Service on all other days, which are not weekends or bank holidays are as per normal GP surgery arrangements.
NoWDOC Opening Hours:
Tuesday 24 December                  Christmas Eve: Normal Tuesday Hours, 1800 – 0800
Wednesday 25 December            Christmas Day (Bank Holiday) 0800 – 0800
Thursday 26 December                St Stephen’s Day (Bank Holiday) 0800 – 0800
Friday 27th December                    Normal Friday hours, 1800 – 0800
Saturday 28th December               Normal Saturday hours – *see note below
Sunday 29 December                   Normal Sunday hours – 0800 – 0800
Monday 30 December                   Normal Monday hours – 1800 – 0800
Tuesday 31 December                  New Years Eve; Normal Tuesday Hours 1800 – 0800
Wednesday 1st January                New Years Day (Bank Holiday) ; 0800 – 0800


If you are unsure who to call, you can phone your GP’s telephone number and they will have a message on the phone telling you the number to contact to access the doctor who is covering for them.
*Saturday Hours for Letterkenny and Carndonagh
For patients of GPs who are attached to the Letterkenny and Carndonagh NoWDOC services, the NoWDOC service for these patients does not commence until 12 noon, and all calls prior to this time on Saturday, should be directed to the patients’ own GP.

How can you help?
To assist NoWDOC in providing the best quality service, the public can help the NoWDOC staff by following the steps below:
1. Have the following information ready if you have to call NoWDOC:
– Patient’s name, if known to you;
– Contact telephone number; a landline if possible or mobile if you don’t have a landline;
– Current location of the patient;
– Patient’s date of birth or age;
– Name of the patient’s own GP or Family Doctor;
– Patient’s Medical Card details if applicable; and
– Details of any current medication.
2. If your call relates to a critical or life threatening situation you should ring the 999 emergency ambulance service.  Ambulance service will contact the NoWDOC service if they require the attendance of a GP.
3. Do not call for routine matters that can wait until your doctor is back in his/her surgery.
4. Make sure that you get prescriptions filled so that you have enough medication over the holiday season.
5. Have your medicine cabinet/first aid box stocked. NoWDOC is here to help you, but it is always useful to have the following items in your home:
For Children: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, thermometer, Diarolyte.
For Adults: Paracetamol, antihistamines (for allergies), anti-diarrhoea agents, anti-emetics (tummy upsets).
General Supplies: Disinfectant, cotton wool, dressings, bandages.
6. Remember that this is an extremely busy time for the service so please be patient if you are experiencing delays in (a)getting through to the service , (b) the service calling you back and (c) waiting to be seen by a GP in a treatment centre.  Calls are prioritised and patients presenting with urgent symptoms will be dealt with first.
7. NoWDOC is not a walk-in service. Please ring first and an appointment will be arranged for you, if necessary.
NoWDOC wishes all its patients a healthy and happy Christmas season.
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